Non-chemical termite treatments -- what works?
Dave Lord
since you mention tenting and you live in California I'll assume
you are talking about Drywood Termites not the subteranean
ones. In a nutshell, localized treatment in general is of limitted
use against drywood termites because the infestation often extends
to areas that are hidden or inaccessable. As for the effectiveness
of alternative methods, none have been independently tested to
establish their effectiveness. I once saw a university professor
on TV cutting open infested 2x4's that had been treated with some
of the alternative treatments, all had some termites that survived.
One other note: Your inspector generally can't tell the difference
between an active infestation and one that has been successfully
treated. Consequently, unless you replace or cover the dammaged
wood the inspector will identify termite infestations everytime he
comes to visit. On the other hand, my experience is that termites
seem to re-infest the same areas over and over so your inspector
might actually be right.
Here's some general info on treatment of drywood termites:
From the Univerity of Florida, Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences
http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu/tmp/termites.html
Dry Wood Termite Management
Drywood and subterranean termites require completely different management
methods; therefore the termites must be correctly identified. If
in doubt, take
several soldiers, winged specimens or broken-off wings to your
County Extension
Office. Immatures (workers) are virtually impossible to identify.
If detected in the early stages and damage is localized, a
drywood termite colony
may be managed by removing and replacing the damaged wood or by the
application of an insecticide. It is very important to carefully
inspect all woodwork
of the entire building, especially attics, baseboards, window
sills, floor joists and
furniture for termite pellets and/or damaged wood.
If the infestation is too extensive and advanced for local
treatment, it will be
necessary to tent and fumigate the entire building. Although
this method is very
expensive and leaves no residual protection, it is usually the
only alternative when
many termite colonies are present. Fumigation can only be performed by a
licensed pest control operator. Contact several firms for
inspections and estimates
for treatment.
Fumigant, gases used for structural fumigation are 100%
effective when adequate
concentrations are maintained within the structure. Proper
fumigation will not
damage household products.
| ==========Gary E. Ansok, 4/5/96==========
|
| We're overdue here for a termite inspection. I want to be prepared
| in case they do find termites.
|
| The last inspection was when we bought the house, and they spot-treated
| at the time. (We can spot-treat, but tenting is not an option since
| we're connected on one side).
|
| I've been hearing lots of ads for companies that have freezing/
| electrocution/microwave treatments for termites, and I'd like to
| hear whether these work as well as the usual chemical treatments.
|
| I'm open to specific recommendations, if anyone has one for
| Ventura County, Calif.
|
| -- Gary
| an...@alumni.caltech.edu
|
| "Give the Governor a harrumph!"
Dave...@sandiegoca.attgis.com
The <reply to> address in the my header is invalid because I'm tired
of getting put on junk mail lists just because I post to Usenet.